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Witness the awesome power of a sales pitch. This is, of course, complete nonsense. The Caminos are well marked, well supported, and well traveled. Nobody needs a guide to walk Camino, just a modicum of common sense and a will to embrace the unfamiliar. Enough rant.......led by an experienced guide (he said Don't go alone, you might get lost!)
Would be nice to have company though. PM me if interested...
There is a LOT of asphalt walking on the Norte. It almost did me in one year. I wanted to walk it again and got a lot of good advice about taking coastal alternatives. The Camino del Norte frequently goes alongside a road about a km or two from the coast, where there are well-maintained walking trails.We are debating on either taking the Primitivo or the Norte this but would like the route with less road walking. What has been your experience on either one as we would prefer to have dirt underfoot and not asphalt.
Going alone in June ‘ you’ll soon be part of a group ‘ unless you say you want to walk alone.Si, si, entiendo. Thanx for having my back, but I guess I gave the wrong impression. Am well aware that I'd be fine, even if every other Peregrino magically vanished on the Primitivo. Garry's just a bit over-protective & that's why I'd had second thoughts about going with him in the first place - but have never done the distance in a group before, and thought it would be an interesting change...
I did Norte-Primitivo last year. Left Irùn abt mid-June and avoided most of the rain. You don’t need a guide; just put a mapping app on your phone and download KMLs for the route. You’ll never walk 50 meters out of your way.Am considering doing the Primitivo this coming Spring, and suspect my girlfriend is not up to it. Hoped to go the beginning of June with a small group led by an experienced guide (he said Don't go alone, you might get lost!), but enough hikers are backing out that it looks increasingly like a non-happening. Would be nice to have company though. PM me if interested...
Mike I looked at the Wikiloc apps- did you purchase the premium, or use wikiloc outdoor navigation which is free? it did not have the primitivo on thereVirtually impossible to get lost on the Primitivo as it is extremely well marked. However, if you are concerned get the wikiloc app and download a track for the Primitivo. The app will then beep if you get more than about 200m from the route!
Unless you are an experienced HOT weather hiker I suggest you don't start in June, unless it is unavoidable. Much of the Primitivo is quite exposed and (IMO) strenuous. Either shoulder season would be preferable.Am considering doing the Primitivo this coming Spring, and suspect my girlfriend is not up to it. Hoped to go the beginning of June with a small group led by an experienced guide (he said Don't go alone, you might get lost!), but enough hikers are backing out that it looks increasingly like a non-happening. Would be nice to have company though. PM me if interested...
Unless you are an experienced HOT weather hiker I suggest you don't start in June, unless it is unavoidable. Much of the Primitivo is quite exposed and (IMO) strenuous. Either shoulder season would be preferable.
Buen Camino.
Is it really hot in June? I am planning from mid June-End of June.
Really I don`t like when it is really hot.
We did the Primitivo in Mid May and it was HOT. Temps were in the 80s and with long stretches without water sources. We had to knock on doors a couple times. Next time we'll go in April. We walked the Invierno last year in early to mid April and it was perfect weather with temps in the 50s. Next time we may try to go even earlier to avoid the Easter season.Is it really hot in June? I am planning from mid June-End of June.
Really I don`t like when it is really hot.
Mike, thanks for this good tip. I'm a first time Pilgrim (Primitivo in 21) and the idea of using apps like this appeals to me. But, I'm always left with two nagging concerns: (1) will I have the connectivity required for the app to function and (2) will I be able to recharge my phone at the albuergue? Are these non-issues on the Primitivo?Virtually impossible to get lost on the Primitivo as it is extremely well marked. However, if you are concerned get the wikiloc app and download a track for the Primitivo. The app will then beep if you get more than about 200m from the route!
Hi Wovoka. What are KMLs?I did Norte-Primitivo last year. Left Irùn abt mid-June and avoided most of the rain. You don’t need a guide; just put a mapping app on your phone and download KMLs for the route. You’ll never walk 50 meters out of your way.
Mike, thanks for this good tip. I'm a first time Pilgrim (Primitivo in 21) and the idea of using apps like this appeals to me. But, I'm always left with two nagging concerns: (1) will I have the connectivity required for the app to function and (2) will I be able to recharge my phone at the albuergue? Are these non-issues on the Primitivo?
Thanks again!
Charging has never been an issue for me on any of my Caminos either in the albergue, hostel or a bar. Connectivity is very rarely a problem in Spain. I get worse connectivity on the South coast of UK.Mike, thanks for this good tip. I'm a first time Pilgrim (Primitivo in 21) and the idea of using apps like this appeals to me. But, I'm always left with two nagging concerns: (1) will I have the connectivity required for the app to function and (2) will I be able to recharge my phone at the albuergue? Are these non-issues on the Primitivo?
Thanks again!
All well and good if you are walking well trodden routes and the Primitivo is that but not true of many. In addition, as I mentioned before. the advantage of wikiloc is that you do not need to keep looking at the phone as it will beep if you are off track. This means you can start it at the beginning of the day and then virtually ignore it while you just follow the signs. However, if you miss a sign while daydreaming, talking to another peregino or simply do not see it, wikiloc will tell you within 100m!For most stretches, you don't need any navigational aids at all, follow the signs or the pilgrims in front of you.
KML (Keyhole Markup Language) displays map data (lines and points) on the web in the same way HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) display text. KML files contain numbers in latitude and longitude values. That’s the background info which you need not be concerned with. With a mapping app on your phone (I use GaiaGPS) then do a web search like “camino primitivo kml”, find a site to diwnload a KML file, import/open it with the map app, and you have the best guide to walking. GPX is another map format that can be imported by map apps. There are many KML files on the web for displaying all the Caminos.Hi Wovoka. What are KMLs?
We did the Primitivo in Mid May and it was HOT. Temps were in the 80s and with long stretches without water sources. We had to knock on doors a couple times. Next time we'll go in April. We walked the Invierno last year in early to mid April and it was perfect weather with temps in the 50s. Next time we may try to go even earlier to avoid the Easter season.
I'm considering doing the Primitivo in May. I'm less concerned about the heat and more about "long stretches" without water." Are there so few cafes along the Primitivo? How many miles between cafes would you say you had to go?
We each carried 3 liters and on 1 or 2 days we had to ask for water from the locals. The temps that May were in the low 80s on a couple days (Even the local complained about the heat). The rest of the days we didn't go through all 3 liters. Just watch when you start getting low and see where the next bar or town is. If you think you are going to run out then just ask a local for a top off. We did it twice and it was no big deal, they were feeling the heat too so they were very understanding.I'm considering doing the Primitivo in May. I'm less concerned about the heat and more about "long stretches" without water." Are there so few cafes along the Primitivo? How many miles between cafes would you say you had to go?
What route was so busy in April? Doing the Frances in 46 days, first Camino! Biggest worry is being prepared with correct clothing for the weather really.Just go. You know you can. I started alone in April, and it was busy – many of the albergues I stayed in were full. I spent time with many camino buddies – yeah, that “camino family” thing – it became one of my favourite caminos for the people I met along the way.
The one that this thread is about - the Primitivo.What route was so busy in April?
I have planned for drought and deluge, feast and famine, shelter and exposed etc. This may well be reflected in an over-stocked rucksack.
I'm considering doing the Primitivo in May. I'm less concerned about the heat and more about "long stretches" without water." Are there so few cafes along the Primitivo? How many miles between cafes would you say you had to go?
When are you leaving Oviedo, Susan? I will leave on May 10th and hope to be in Santiago on the 24th.
Well I do hope I run into you Wild Place. After the Primitivo, will meet my friend in Santiago, train to Leon and do the San Salvador with her. Turned around I know, but am accommodating her travel schedule so we can do the San Salvador together. Would love to have your thoughts on the San Salvador. Buen Camino!
Sounds good - would be great to meet on the trail. My backpack is a burgundy colour, and the name tag has a Canadian flag on it. Happy training!
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